THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2006
Name New Building After MaRous?
By DWIGHT ESAU
Journal Reporter
Former interim Park Ridge Mayor Michael MaRous is turn ing out to be one of the city's most popular retired public ser vants in modern times.
When he left city government after several terms as an alder men and two years as interim mayor in 2005, he was widely praised by both city officials and residents for his leadership of the city.
He was especially honored for his work in getting the Uptown redevelopment project off the drawing boards and into the ground at Target Area 2. When ground was broken for Uptown's redevelopment in June, 2005, af ter he left office, he was asked to be a part of the ceremony.
Now, at least one alderman wants to honor him further by naming one of the new Uptown buildings after him.
"He did a lot to move the Uptown project along and he was outstanding at an important time for the city," said Ald. Rex Parker, who recommended the move at Monday night's city council meeting. "I think it's appropriate that the building that PRC Partners plans to build right at the Six Corners intersec tion, at the most prominent cor ner of the new project, be named in his honor."
His suggestion was referred to the council's Public Works Committee.
MaRous served most of two terms as the city council's sixth ward alderman, and was elected as interim mayor by his fellow aldermen in October, 2003, to fill out the term of Wietecha, who unexpectedly resigned in September of that year.
Contacted by the Journal Tuesday, MaRous said, "It's very nice and kind, but I measure this (Uptown redevelopment) in terms of when it's done. If everyone is happy with it, then maybe I can accept some recognition. I don't want to appear ungrateful, but the proof of the success of this is when it's finished and everyone is pleased with it."
MaRous declined to run for a full term in a regular election in 2005. He owns and operates a commercial real estate appraisal and brokerage business in Park Ridge.